The extent of sexual harassment is sometimes overlooked. Many face serious issues at work that are unprofessional and unethical.
Sexual Harassment is the sexual coercion or provocation of an individual that is unwelcomed by them. In the workplace this can be an all too common issue. When one employee harasses another in a sexual manner through repetitive or offensive behavior, it is not only inappropriate but can even be illegal depending on the circumstances. It can involve requests, advances, touching and harassment that is sexual in nature. It is different than flirting between two coworkers; it is when one party is in favor of the sexual behavior while the other party is opposed to it. Harassment is not only faced by women, though the number of women who it occurs to is significantly high; around 20% of men have to deal with it in their workplace. While some may face simply harassment such as teasing or ridicule, sexual harassment is different and goes to a different extent. Often a sexual harassment case can become a "he said, she said" case making it difficult for a judge to make a ruling on it. Offhanded comments, single incidents that are minor and general teasing are generally not illegal. Whether sexual harassment goes to the extent in which legal action can be taken against, it is still always inappropriate in a work environment especially if the individual it is directed towards objects against it.
In a recent case, a surgical physician's assistant from Mercy General Hospital received a high verdict of $167 million for the sexual harassment she received at work. The plaintiff suffered unwelcomed sexual conversations touching and advances repeatedly from the staff and physicians at the hospital. When she complained to hospital management she was fired. The hospital state that they plan to appeal, claiming that the reason the plaintiff was fired was due to misconduct including a number of write ups at work such as failing to report to work one Sunday. The plaintiff states that as a result of actions on the part of the Hospital she has been unable to get another job despite her undergraduate and graduate degrees from UCLA and a master of medical science degree that she earned from Yale. The PA was awarded $125 in punitive damages from the hospital as well as $42.7 million in compensation for the lost income and mental anguish she faced as a result.
Sexual harassment can occur verbally through comments directed at the person, physically through touching or blocking, visually such as through inappropriate pictures and can even occur nonverbally through physical gestures or looking a person up and down. To deal with the seriousness of sexual harassment, legislation has been enacted such as under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to defend those that are victimized through a hostile work environment in which they repeatedly endure abuse. Harassment can come from a fellow employee, boss, supervisor as well as others. A place of employment is considered a hostile work environment when the job of the victim of sexual harassment is affected as a result. When harassment is an issue in the work place a legal representative may be able to help the employee receive compensation for the pain and sufferings they faced as a result. If their job was lost as a result of their denial of the sexual advances, a qualified attorney can fight on their behalf for a fair outcome.
Sexual Harassment is the sexual coercion or provocation of an individual that is unwelcomed by them. In the workplace this can be an all too common issue. When one employee harasses another in a sexual manner through repetitive or offensive behavior, it is not only inappropriate but can even be illegal depending on the circumstances. It can involve requests, advances, touching and harassment that is sexual in nature. It is different than flirting between two coworkers; it is when one party is in favor of the sexual behavior while the other party is opposed to it. Harassment is not only faced by women, though the number of women who it occurs to is significantly high; around 20% of men have to deal with it in their workplace. While some may face simply harassment such as teasing or ridicule, sexual harassment is different and goes to a different extent. Often a sexual harassment case can become a "he said, she said" case making it difficult for a judge to make a ruling on it. Offhanded comments, single incidents that are minor and general teasing are generally not illegal. Whether sexual harassment goes to the extent in which legal action can be taken against, it is still always inappropriate in a work environment especially if the individual it is directed towards objects against it.
In a recent case, a surgical physician's assistant from Mercy General Hospital received a high verdict of $167 million for the sexual harassment she received at work. The plaintiff suffered unwelcomed sexual conversations touching and advances repeatedly from the staff and physicians at the hospital. When she complained to hospital management she was fired. The hospital state that they plan to appeal, claiming that the reason the plaintiff was fired was due to misconduct including a number of write ups at work such as failing to report to work one Sunday. The plaintiff states that as a result of actions on the part of the Hospital she has been unable to get another job despite her undergraduate and graduate degrees from UCLA and a master of medical science degree that she earned from Yale. The PA was awarded $125 in punitive damages from the hospital as well as $42.7 million in compensation for the lost income and mental anguish she faced as a result.
Sexual harassment can occur verbally through comments directed at the person, physically through touching or blocking, visually such as through inappropriate pictures and can even occur nonverbally through physical gestures or looking a person up and down. To deal with the seriousness of sexual harassment, legislation has been enacted such as under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to defend those that are victimized through a hostile work environment in which they repeatedly endure abuse. Harassment can come from a fellow employee, boss, supervisor as well as others. A place of employment is considered a hostile work environment when the job of the victim of sexual harassment is affected as a result. When harassment is an issue in the work place a legal representative may be able to help the employee receive compensation for the pain and sufferings they faced as a result. If their job was lost as a result of their denial of the sexual advances, a qualified attorney can fight on their behalf for a fair outcome.
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